Sandy Francis

I specialise in five specific areas: 

eating disorders

anxiety/panic

addiction

bereavement

personality problems

For eating disorder, addiction, anxiety and personality problems I utilise specific evidence-based treatments recommended by NICE guidance.

For eating disorders the treatment is CBT-E (Fairburn et al) with the number of sessions aligned with the specific problem. For example, the treatment for Bulimia Nervosa is generally 20 sessions whereas Binge Eating Disorder usually requires around 12 sessions.

For personality issues I use Dialectical Behavioural Therapy  (Linehan) in a treatment episode that normally continues for around 12 months - sometimes longer.

Anxiety treatment is dependent on the specific presentation but I tend to utilise a therapy called Pluralistic Therapy which takes an individualised approach and incorporates CBT models that include behavioural experiments and between-session activities.

Addiction treatment can involve CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Systemic work (family/friends) and 12-step involvement if it is something you want to do.

Bereavement work was my first focus as a counsellor and is highly personalised and fluid  - it takes as long as it takes.

I have a Masters in counselling and psychotherapy practice, post graduate training in eating disorders, DBT and supervision, a BSc in addictions counselling and a diploma in integrative therapeutic counselling.

I qualified as a counsellor in 2007 and have worked in prisons and clinics for many years as a therapist for the NHS.

I currently teach forensic psychology to undergraduates and supervise therapy teams in addiction treatment settings. 

The first session is half price - £35 - and will be part assessment to work out what you need, and to hatch a plan and, most importantly, to decide whether or not you would like to work with me.

I currently have a few supervision slots available and am interested in working with both qualified and trainee counsellors. 

My rate for qualified counsellors is £50 per hour or £70 for one 90 minute session. 

My rate for trainee/student counsellors in placement is £40 per hour or £75 for two hours per month.

I am happy to see you in my office in Castle Cary or online.

My supervision style predominantly focuses on support and nurture. I work collaboratively with a motivational, forward- looking focus but with a sharp eye on safe, ethical practice. 

I qualified as a supervisor in 2008 and have worked consistently since then both in private practice and for large organisations such as Cruse Bereavement Care and the NHS. I held the position of senior psychological therapist in the NHS for several years supervising a team of IAPT therapists, an experience that has helped me develop an extensive knowledge of safeguarding and other legal concerns. I understand that sometimes direct advice is necessary.

I have trained in various counselling modalities and currently supervise the practice of therapists using a variety of approaches including: Person Centred, Psychodynamic, Art Therapy, Integrative, CBT and Interpersonal Group Therapy. 

I have a particular interest in helping therapists work with clients who might have worrying presentations such as emotion regulation issues/addictions/hearing voices/suicidal ideation. Recent evidence seems to suggest that more and more people with complex presentations arrive in private practice or in volunteer, charity and non-profit settings where students find their placements.  

Strong, supportive, clear supervision is essential and I feel this is what I can provide. 

My current roles are:

Associate Lecturer in Counselling and Forensic Psychology on the counselling, psychology and criminology degrees for The Open University. 

Private supervisor working with supervisees in private practice and in employed settings such as addiction rehabilitation and mental health charities (Mind etc.)

Therapist in private practice using integrative therapy and, for eating disorders - CBT-E (Fairburn). 

My qualifications are: MA (Psych);  Post grad certs (Supervision; CBT-E (eating disorders); BSc Addictions Counselling (Group Therapy, CBT, MI, Systemic Family Therapy); Adv Dip Integrative Counselling (CPCAB)

My interests are all of the above plus I am also a particular advocate of Existential Psychotherapy, Systemic working and DBT.

If you are interested, I suggest we have a phone call in the first instance to check compatibility.